| A small festival among friends
Un pequeño festival entre amigos
The 2009
Rural Tourism Fair takes place around the planet January
19-30. Organizers promise a very big small event.
"This year's event expands on eight years hosting the Rural
Tourism Fair in Oaxaca,
Mexico," explained Ron Mader, who created the fair
in 2001 as a way of launching an inexpensive grassroots event
that could bring together locals and visitors.
The idea remains the same - highlight options visitors have
in exploring the rural countryside in a responsible manner.
The 2009 Rural Tourism Fair features events around the world
and encourages those using Web
2.0 tools including Facebook, Flickr and YouTube.
The event -- now in its 9th year -- is held in January as a
way to kick start the new year and help participants get some
traction as new projects get underway. The program
is updated on a regular basis before and during the event.
About the fair
The fair highlights rural
travel and ecotourism
and brings together inspired travelers, local travel providers,
community leaders, indigenous artisans, media, academics and
students.
The annual event provides opportunities for dialogue among
travelers and locals about ways to explore the rural countryside
in a responsible manner. There is no cost to attend and no cost
to share information.
Small is beautiful
"Local guides, gardners and artisans are our hosts,"
Mader said. "Many of the activities attract about a half-dozen
to a dozen participants. That's fine considering we will be
sharing what we learn." Mader pointed out that rural tourism
experiences are frequently the domain of small groups, making
the niche a good example of the longtail
of ecotourism and responsible travel."
The 2009 Fair examines the development and promotion of rural
tourism around the world and underscores the importance of educating
visitors about rural tourism services in urban settings. "We
cannot expect travelers to treat the rural countryside in a
responsible or ethical manner if they have not been given proper
information ahead of time," Mader said. "Too often
the logical links between urban and rural settings are ignored,
diminishing the effectiveness of tourism development and job
creation. The Rural Tourism Fair connects the dots and showcases
best practices."
Web2
The complete agenda is edited on the Planeta
Wikispace. Also, in tandem with Planeta.com's showcase of
practical applications of Web
2.0 technologies, the fair had its own Facebook
page and Flickrgroup.
Visitors with web skillsare encouraged to share their knowledge
with locals at informal workshops.
Quotable
Something independent of definitions and trends has quietly
awakened. It's widespread. It nourishes. It quickens life through
communion, deepens inner power. And it's expressing itself in
small festivals among friends.
- Michael Ventura, Letters
at 3AM
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